New Delhi: In a significant stride towards modernising India’s defence capabilities, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan has unveiled a comprehensive framework for integrating quantum technologies into the nation’s armed forces. The ‘Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework’ outlines a strategic vision to harness the potential of quantum technologies, ensuring India’s preparedness for future battlefields and technological supremacy in an ever-evolving global landscape.
The policy document, released on Thursday, delineates the roadmap for embedding quantum technologies within the tri-services—Army, Navy, and Air Force. It underscores the importance of aligning these advancements with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are a crucial component. The framework aims to achieve synergy by integrating the four pillars of quantum technologies: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
“This policy aims to integrate the four pillars of quantum technologies—quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices—into the tri-services to empower them to prepare for the future battlefield and to achieve technological dominance in a rapidly evolving world,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
The vision document not only defines the strategic approach but also sets forth the milestones and goals necessary for the successful assimilation of these advanced technologies. It emphasises the critical need for jointness and integration across the defence sector, leveraging civil-military fusion through dedicated governing bodies comprising members from various government sectors.
“The framework also highlights the critical need for jointness and integration in assimilating this technology to achieve technological supremacy in the future battlefield,” the statement added.
The release of the framework was attended by key military leaders, including Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. Their presence underscored the collective commitment of the armed forces to embrace and implement these cutting-edge technologies.
The ‘Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework’ marks a pivotal moment in India’s defence strategy, positioning the nation at the forefront of technological innovation in the military domain. By integrating quantum technologies, the Indian armed forces aim to enhance their operational capabilities, secure communication networks, and achieve unparalleled precision in sensing and metrology.
As India continues to invest in and develop quantum technologies, the ‘Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework’ will serve as a guiding document, ensuring that the nation’s defence forces are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of modern warfare and maintain a strategic edge in the global arena.